Defender Drill with Push and Chop

The push, chop drill is a common drill sequence used when an attacker is training with a defender. See the above diagram for a description of how the drill is performed.

Degree of Complexity

This is a fourth degree of complexity drill. The ball placements, strokes used and spin all change, but according to a fixed pattern. Pattern footwork is also required by the defender. There are no random elements in this drill.

playing styles

Player B (the defender) will get good in and out footwork practice from the drill, which can also be quite intense aerobically if performed well. He will also get to practice his chop against a loop, and his push return against a drop shot.

Other Variations

This drill can be varied in several ways, depending on what aspect of the game you wish to emphasise. Simply by altering placement, stroke patterns, and introducing randomness, a number of variations can be designed, each with slightly different objectives. Some simple examples are:

If a random decision for the attacker is desired, the attacker can loop and drop shot at will, instead of according to a fixed pattern. This will make the drill much more difficult for the defender, and also allow the attacker to practice his loop against a chopped ball.

If a random element for the defender is desired, he can choose to attack any poor drop shots from the attacker, and the point can then be played out.

Both of the random elements mentioned above can be combined to keep both players on their toes. Bear in mind that this will greatly increase the difficulty of the drill.

If the defender wishes to attack according to a fixed pattern, he may decide to push one of the attacker’s drop shots, and attack the next drop shot to the attacker’s forehand. The attacker then counterloops, followed by a chop by the defender again. This gives the defender attacking practice, but also gives the attacker a good chance to counterloop successfully and keep the rally going, since he knows where the defender will attack.

The attacker may loop the ball to the defender’s backhand, but drop the ball short to the defender’s forehand.

The attacker may loop the ball to any location, but drop the ball short to the defender’s backhand. This will work the defender very hard defensively, but make his counter-attack a little easier.